Dear Cole,

Congratulations on marrying a multi-millionaire!

Oh, I'm sorry. That wasn't you?

Then why are you spending money like someone automatically refills your bank account? A little advice, you're 31 now and you've had more than enough time to be frivolous with your money. Stop wasting funds on the following:

Food that will spoil before you eat it

Pedicures in winter (!!!)

$7 dog bones (Sorry Baby Monster)

More clothes

"Misc." CVS trips (what did you get for $68???)

Re-train yourself, learn some restraint. Set a budget and put yourself on a cash diet. You had some fun in 2016, taking trips and decorating your apartment and now 2017 will create a more focused, thrifty, (perhaps boring) you. And hey, those Saturday nights when you're NOT out buying $15 drinks you can make sure all your homework is turned in on time! Time to grow up Big Monster.

How was your New Years?

I welcomed 2017 with group of friends and we brought the party wherever we went (you're welcome Little Trouble). I distinctly remember thinking "I am having the best time" at one point on the dance floor, followed by "I am too old for this" the next morning. But hey, totally worth it!

A couple of pics from the night if you're interested (photos by Ish Holmes):

Before the festivities we needed a hearty meal to keep us going and I was happy to be back in the kitchen. I went with a classic and I truly believe this is the only lasagna recipe you will ever need. I've tried making my own lasagna noodles before but I promise you, these no-cook noodles from Barilla are even better not to mention so much easier. Another option is to make your own ricotta if you're feeling fancy.

New Year's Eve Lasagna

2 cans diced tomatoes

1 can crushed tomatoes

1 1/2 cups red wine (good enough to drink)

2 sticks of butter

3 medium onions

Barilla Oven-Ready Lasagne noodles

2 medium bags of Italian blend shredded cheese

2 cups ricotta cheese

4 large mild Italian sausages

In a large cast iron oven remove sausage from casing and dice and brown until fully cooked. Place on paper towel to drain.

Peel onions and cut into quarters leaving the core ends on. In the same pot, combine all canned tomatoes, butter, onions and red wine. Bring to a simmer and reduce for about 20 minutes. Remove all onion pieces.

You are now ready to assemble in the following order:

Lasagna noodles (break to fit pan)

Sauce

Italian sausage pieces

Ricotta

Shredded cheese

Repeat until last layer and finish with shredded cheese. Bake for 35 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly. Let the lasagna sit for at least 15-20 minutes before cutting. Serve with a spinach and arugula salad with lemon and olive oil. Enjoy!

I read this post on Facebook the other day and hey, I get it. The 2016 election was a shit show, people around the world couldn't seem to stop killing each other, race issues continue to cause problems and more violence, and we lost a lot of talent/celebrities (if you care about that last part). So yes, I can see why some people will gladly celebrate the passing of 2016.

I, on the other hand, just need to take a minute to celebrate my positives in 2016. Considering the hell that was 2014 & 2015 I had a very good year.

I remember starting the year in my home of homes, California. And yet, I was so unsure of many things. I distinctly remember a feeling of dissatisfaction, melancholy, and distance. I was still very grateful to be back in a place I feel so fond of, but I knew I had to make some changes when I got back.

And so I left a relationship and got myself a home of my very own! (Technically it's Gatsby's and I just live there). I have been moving and bouncing around since 2011, never quite feeling settled or secure. This place truly feels like my safe home. Boy did I luck out with this apartment, so much character, right in midtown, in a neighborhood that literally makes me smile every time I drive through. I know I won't stay here forever, but it's perfect right now.

This year I kept going with school. There were many successes and many failures (literally) but here is what I can say about that: I will not quit. If I need to slow down, or leave all aspects of social life and relaxation I will do that. I will graduate before I turn 80, and that's a promise.

I continue to be inspired and challenged at work. I am grateful to feel so strongly about what I work toward everyday and to be able to build the Liberty Technology and Kitchen Sink brand. But on top of the good old-fashioned work satisfaction, I get to work with a bunch of people who are like family to me, more so this year than any other. We genuinely care about each other, and even though we get frustrated we are there. I've lost count of how many times I've laughed until I cried and my sides hurt. I am so lucky.

Which brings me to my next point. This year I learned that I love being alone but the circle of people that are in my life are invaluable to me. It has been a joy having my own place, and important to me to have this time to just be with myself and to be truly self-sufficient. I know now, that no matter what happens I can deal with it and I can be happy. I gotta say, that wasn't an easy place to get to and I'm damn proud.

This year I have had the opportunity to meet new people and get closer to others. I have traveled with friends, shared so many laughs and experiences. I know that 2017 will only bring more of this. Again, I am so lucky.

I feel as though I am hurtling through space with no gravity, picking up objects as I encounter them, examining them, and letting them go. No path, no ties, no idea what happens next. 

— Me

I've been keeping a one sentence journal since 2014, I wrote this on December 26, 2014. It's fascinating to look back on these things and to see how far I have come. I no longer feel this way. While I still don't know exactly what happens next, I have ties to people I love, I have a path that I've set for myself, and I feel more confident than ever that next year, will be a very good year.

And last but not at all least, it was another year with my happy, healthy, baby monster. Thanks for the laughs Gatsby!

Here's to 2017!!!

A trip to the North has been booked (more on that later) in January, so it will be cold. I want to be able to travel and be warm and comfortable and still keep my style ;) These street style looks provide the perfect inspiration.

In the design world, end of bed benches are a big thing. And as I've been going through the process of minimalizing my bedroom, I've noticed not only are they a great design aesthetic, but they are practical too. My space is narrow, and opens up to the office space and kitchen area. When people are hanging out in this area they usually end up sitting on my bed. A bed, in my opinion should never be guest sitting space. So I began the search for a bench...starting with the inspiration.

INSPIRATION

OPTIONS

Then I started sourcing some options...ooh, pricey.

A BETTER OPTION

Enter, Craiglist. Where I found this bad boy for about $80. It was definitely too short, and I didn't like the stain or the spots but that wasn't going to stop me.

So I ordered some 15 1/2'' tapered legs from Amazon for $11 (!) and with the proper hanger bolts they fit perfectly into the existing screw holes. A couple of rounds of sanding and staining and voila, my mid century end of bed bench for less than $100.

WHERE YOU WONDERING ABOUT MY BLOG TITLE?

I will occasionally feature food but this is primarily a my-lifestyle blog. However, here's the story behind the title:

What images come to your mind when you hear the term “cooking for one”? Maybe a very small lasagna in it’s own personal pan, or maybe an older male, professor-like sitting down at an empty dining table, taking his time spreading the linen napkin over his lap and then eating his tiny steak and few asparagus spears in silence. Either way, the term doesn’t exactly conjure up the warm fuzzy feelings.

I once said this term to a close friend not long after I found myself single following a very long relationship. I loved cooking but my joy resulted mainly from creating something that would be enjoyed by others, not necessarily myself. And I was armed with an entire repertoire of recipes based on tastes and already beloved by this previous significant other. When I said “cooking for one” to my friend I meant it in a self-deprecating way, but she turned to me and said, “Cooking for Cole” (Cole being my nickname within that group). With just the slight adjustment it was changed from sad, lonely imagery to a title that represents a woman and her love of good tastes and culinary experiences.

These days many of the activities I do are for one: dance parties, Netflix bingeing, day trips. And that’s ok, more than ok it’s enjoyable and necessary to offset a life full of friends, laughs, and great memories with days where it’s just me. Some nights I am indeed cooking for one. Maybe the dish is simple or maybe it’s complicated but it’s whatever I want it to be. More often than not, I am sharing wonderful meals with the beautiful people in my life, in which case I am cooking for love.